As the semiconductor industry undergoes a major transformation, key figures in the industry have come together to call for government policy support.

On the 9th, the 'Great Debate for Establishing a National Vision and Strategy for the K-Semiconductor Transformation' was held in the first small conference room of the National Assembly Members' Hall, hosted by the office of National Assembly Member Kim Tae-nyeon.

Presenters at the discussion that day included Kim Yang-paeng, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade; Lee An-jae, vice president of Samsung Global Research; Kim Seo-gyun, executive director of the Korea Labless Industry Association; Seong Hak-gyeong, chairman of the Small and Medium Business Technology Convergence Research Association; Joo Jin-woo, vice president of Jeil Engineering; and Ahn Ki-hyun, executive director of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association, who gave presentations on current issues in the semiconductor industry.

The agenda was presented with presentations on the following topics: △Domestic and international trends and outlook for the semiconductor industry △Policy proposals to strengthen the global competitiveness of the semiconductor industry △Proposals for future strategies to foster the fabless industry △Measures to foster small and medium-sized businesses for the shared growth of the semiconductor industry △New and renewable energy supply plans for RE100 implementation △Directions and tasks of national support policies to establish semiconductor sovereignty.

Ian Jae, Vice President of Samsung Global Research, said, “Subsidies and taxesHe suggested, “We need to raise our infrastructure support to the same level as our competitors,” and “We need to support infrastructure in areas such as water and electricity so that we can compete with global companies at the export cost level.”

He also ordered that crackdowns on technology leaks be strengthened. Starting this year, the increased sentencing standards are scheduled to be applied starting in August, so technology leak crimes will be subject to a maximum sentence of 18 years, but Vice President Lee lamented, “Even so, the level of punishment, such as fines, is weak compared to the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan.”

The fabless industry agreed with the statement that system semiconductors should be separated from the semiconductor industry and grown as a single industry axis. Kim Kyung-soo, chairman of the Fabless Industry Association, emphasized, “Government support centered on foundries has been key so far,” and “Now, in order for foundries to do well, there must be opportunities to advance globally with good ideas in system semiconductors, and this will enable companies from foundries to fabless to become competitive.”

On this day, one panel raised its voice in the floor as a proposal, saying, “We should create a consultative body between the ruling and opposition parties to establish at least an 8-year master plan and roadmap, appoint a business official rather than a government official as the chairman of the special committee for human resources development, and establish a shared fab for small and medium-sized companies.”

In response, Executive Director Ahn Ki-hyun said, “We are currently planning a public fab and are undergoing government review,” and “The results will be announced in the second half of the year.”

In his opening remarks, Rep. Kim Tae-nyeon presented four major principles for semiconductor innovation. Rep. Kim mentioned the following: △Swift launch of the Semiconductor National Committee and the National Assembly Semiconductor Special Committee, △Announcement of policy funding measures with the effect of establishing a semiconductor fund and a special account worth 100 trillion won, providing unprecedented support, △Creating an ecosystem for fabless and small and medium-sized enterprises, etc., and △Promoting the growth of the semiconductor industry by supporting renewable energy through the establishment of RE100.

In addition, Rep. Cho In-cheol expressed a strong opinion, saying, “We must discuss direct support, including tax and financial support,” and Rep. Jeong Tae-ho raised the question, saying, “Green semiconductors have emerged as a hot topic, but the domestic Samsung fab currently under construction requires 10 gigawatts of electricity,” and “Is it possible to build the Yongin cluster without renewable energy that can be utilized?”